Rain had left their home ­playing fields at Friends’ School, in Saffron Walden, unusable.

So Wendens called the Army at Carver Barracks, who allowed the club to use the barracks’ pitches for the weekly training session.

As a community initiative in return, Wendens offered free rugby to children from the Wimbish base, and were delighted to see a number of boys and girls across the age groups take advantage of the rugby on their doorstep.

Lt Col Will McDonald gave up his time to inspect the session with colleague WO1 Glen Atwell, who walked around all the age groups seeing the progress in skills and development through the club.

Lt Col McDonald said: “I am very impressed with the whole club – the kids are clearly ­enjoying themselves, playing some quality rugby and the coaching is excellent.

“I’d like to thank the club for bringing this new initiative to the camp and working with us.”

Wendens chairman Iain Keys was equally delighted at the opportunity to enhance the club’s relationship with the barracks, which has been the home to its end-of-season festival for many years.

“It was great to see the kids from the barracks join in,” he said.

“The Army has saved the day by allowing us to continue ­playing so it seems only right to offer their children the ­opportunity to join the club for free. We look forward to seeing more of them next week.”